Upon the invitation and full sponsorship of the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), the CPSC Director General Dr. Mohammad Naim Yaakub presented a paper titled ASEAN 2015: Intra and Extra Implications during the Canada-ASEAN Education Forum, an event held in conjunction with CBIE’s 47th Annual Conference held from Nov. 17 – 20, 2013 at the Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, British Columbia.
The forum aimed to explore means of collaboration between Canada and the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries. Dr. Naim underscored in his presentation the background of ASEAN Community 2015, the intra- and extra-ASEAN student and labor mobility, recent developments in technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in ASEAN and how the Asia Pacific Accreditation and Certification Commission (APACC) aids in regional cross-border student mobility.
“As ASEAN member states move closer towards ASEAN Community 2015 that will see a more liberalized movement of goods, services and labor, the establishment of an ASEAN Regional Qualifications Framework covering Higher Education and TVET is crucial, both for intra- and extra-ASEAN student and teaching faculty mobility and connectivity, that will mutually contribute to the global international education, peace and understanding.”, said Dr. Naim.
The forum was also graced by notable education experts, professionals and policy leaders from across Canada and the ASEAN region. For the full list of experts and agenda, please visit: http://www.cbie-bcei.ca/events/events-archive/2013-annual-conference/canada-asean-education-forum/agenda/
The Director General also had the opportunity to visit several universities and colleges in British Columbia on November 20 – 21, 2013, including Kwantlen Polytechnic University and Vancouver Community Colleges. He discussed possible collaboration with these educational institutions in the area of teacher training and faculty and student exchanges/internships. The meetings were organized by the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) through Mr. Rudy Sabas, Manager of Marketing and Development, International Partnerships, ACCC.